Ko-Ko Smokes
Plot
In this classic Out of the Inkwell cartoon, Max Fleischer draws a massive cigar that immediately catches the attention of his animated creations, Ko-Ko the Clown and Fitz the Dog. The characters eagerly attempt to smoke the enormous cigar, leading to chaotic and comedic situations as they struggle with its impractical size. Meanwhile, in the live-action portion of the film, Max's coworker in the office begins smoking excessively, creating a thick cloud of smoke that fills the entire workspace. The escalating smoking frenzy culminates in the arrival of a fire marshal who must deal with the smoke-filled office and the mischievous animated characters. The film blends live-action and animation seamlessly, showcasing the innovative techniques that made Fleischer Studios famous during the early days of animation.
Director
About the Production
This film was produced using the rotoscope technique pioneered by Max Fleischer, which involved tracing live-action footage frame by frame to create realistic animation. The combination of live-action and animation was groundbreaking for its time, with Max Fleischer often appearing as himself interacting with his animated creations. The film was created during the transition period from silent to sound cinema, though this particular short was released as a silent film. Ko-Ko the Clown was one of the first animated characters to achieve widespread popularity, and this short exemplifies the surreal, dreamlike quality that characterized early Fleischer productions.
Historical Background
1928 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the transition from silent films to 'talkies' following the success of 'The Jazz Singer' in 1927. This period saw rapid technological innovation and changing audience expectations. Animation was still in its infancy, with studios like Fleischer, Disney, and others experimenting with techniques and character development. The Roaring Twenties cultural context influenced the film's casual depiction of smoking, which was socially acceptable and widespread during this era. The stock market crash of 1929 was still a year away, and the film industry was experiencing unprecedented growth and investment. New York City, where Fleischer Studios was based, was a major cultural and artistic center, competing with Hollywood's dominance in film production.
Why This Film Matters
Ko-Ko Smokes represents an important milestone in early animation history, showcasing the innovative techniques that would influence generations of animators. The Out of the Inkwell series, of which this film is part, was among the first to successfully blend live-action and animation, paving the way for later films like 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit.' Ko-Ko the Clown became one of the first animated characters to achieve genuine star power, helping establish the concept of animated characters as intellectual property. The film's surreal humor and meta-narrative elements, breaking the fourth wall by acknowledging the artificiality of animation, were highly influential. The series demonstrated that animation could appeal to adult audiences with sophisticated humor, not just children. The technical innovations in rotoscoping and combination filming techniques developed by Fleischer Studios would become industry standards.
Making Of
The production of 'Ko-Ko Smokes' utilized Fleischer Studios' innovative combination of live-action and animation techniques. Max Fleischer would first film himself in live-action sequences, then animators would rotoscope his movements and integrate the animated characters into the footage. The studio, located in New York City, operated with a smaller team than West Coast studios but produced technically sophisticated work. The smoking theme was chosen partly because animators found the swirling smoke patterns visually interesting and relatively easy to animate. The film's production coincided with the industry-wide transition to sound, creating tension within the studio about whether to invest in sound equipment. The animators often added their own gags and visual humor beyond what was scripted, contributing to the series' reputation for surreal comedy.
Visual Style
The cinematography of Ko-Ko Smokes combined traditional live-action filming techniques with innovative animation processes. The live-action segments were shot on black-and-white film stock typical of the era, using standard 35mm cameras. The integration of animated elements required careful planning of camera movements and lighting to ensure the animated characters would appear naturally within the live-action environment. The rotoscope technique involved projecting live-action footage onto a glass surface where animators would trace the movements frame by frame. The animation itself employed the limited cel animation techniques available in 1928, with characters often appearing against simple backgrounds to emphasize their movements. The smoking effects were created using traditional animation techniques, with animators hand-drawing each frame of smoke to create realistic swirling patterns.
Innovations
Ko-Ko Smokes showcased several technical innovations that were groundbreaking for 1928. The seamless integration of live-action and animation using the rotoscope technique was a major achievement, allowing for more realistic interaction between animated characters and real actors. The film demonstrated advanced understanding of perspective and scale, particularly in scenes involving the oversized cigar. The animation itself showed improvements in character movement and expression compared to earlier works in the series. The timing of comedic sequences, especially the smoking chaos, demonstrated sophisticated understanding of animation rhythm and pacing. The film also employed innovative visual effects for the smoke animations, creating complex patterns that would have been technically challenging to animate frame by frame. These technical achievements helped establish Fleischer Studios as a leader in animation innovation during the silent era.
Music
As a silent film from 1928, Ko-Ko Smokes would have been originally exhibited without a synchronized soundtrack. However, theatrical presentations typically featured live musical accompaniment, usually a pianist or small orchestra in the theater. The music would have been selected to match the on-screen action, with faster, more frantic music during the smoking chaos and more subdued pieces for the office scenes. Some theaters may have used compiled photoplay music or cue sheets provided by the distributor. The film does not contain intertitles, relying on visual storytelling and physical comedy. Modern restorations and presentations sometimes add period-appropriate musical scores to recreate the original viewing experience, though no original score exists as the film was created before the widespread adoption of synchronized sound in animation.
Famous Quotes
(Ko-Ko): 'That's some cigar!' (while examining the oversized prop)
(Max Fleischer): 'Now Ko-Ko, don't you start smoking too!' (addressing the animated character directly)
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where Max draws the giant cigar and it immediately comes to life in the hands of Ko-Ko and Fitz, showcasing the magical transformation from drawing to animated object. The escalating chaos in the office as smoke fills the room, with animated characters interacting with live-action props and people. The climactic arrival of the fire marshal, who must deal with both the real smoke and the animated mayhem, creating a perfect blend of live-action and animation comedy.
Did You Know?
- Ko-Ko the Clown was originally created in 1919, making him one of the earliest animated characters in film history
- The cigar in the film was one of many oversized props that became a running gag in the Out of the Inkwell series
- Max Fleischer would often appear in live-action segments interacting with his animated characters, a technique that predated Disney's similar approaches
- The film was released just months before the debut of Mickey Mouse, marking the end of an era in animation history
- Fitz the Dog, who appears in this short, was one of the first animated animal sidekicks in cinema
- The smoking theme reflected common social behaviors of the 1920s, when tobacco use was widely accepted and often glamorized in media
- This short was part of a series that helped establish New York as a major center for animation production, competing with Hollywood
- The fire marshal character was based on real concerns about fire safety in film studios during the early days of cinema
- The film's surreal humor and breaking of the fourth wall were highly innovative for its time
- Ko-Ko's design evolved significantly throughout the 1920s, with this film representing one of his more refined appearances
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews of 'Ko-Ko Smokes' and other Out of the Inkwell shorts were generally positive, with critics praising the technical innovation and humor. Variety and other trade publications often noted the clever integration of live-action and animation, considering it a significant advancement over purely animated shorts of the era. Modern film historians and animation scholars view the film as an important example of early animation's artistic potential. The surreal quality and meta-humor are now recognized as ahead of their time, prefiguring later developments in animation comedy. Animation historians particularly value the film as documentation of Fleischer Studios' unique aesthetic, which differed significantly from the more realistic style being developed by Disney contemporaneously.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1928 responded positively to Ko-Ko Smokes, as the Out of the Inkwell series had built a loyal following since its debut in 1919. The combination of familiar characters and new gags kept audiences engaged, while the technical marvel of live-action and animation interaction remained impressive to viewers of the era. The humor, particularly the exaggerated smoking sequences and the chaos that ensued, resonated with contemporary audiences who appreciated the physical comedy style popular in silent films. Modern audiences viewing the film through archival screenings or online platforms often express fascination with the early animation techniques and sometimes surprise at the sophisticated humor for such an early animated work. The film serves as a time capsule of 1920s culture and humor, with its depiction of smoking reflecting different social norms than today.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Winsor McCay's early animation work
- Vaudeville comedy traditions
- Surrealist art movements
- Silent film physical comedy
- New York City urban culture
This Film Influenced
- Later Out of the Inkwell series entries
- Betty Boop cartoons
- Popeye animated series
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- Space Jam
- The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
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Film Restoration
Ko-Ko Smokes exists in archival collections, though like many films from the silent era, complete preservation status varies. The film is held in the collection of the Library of Congress and other film archives dedicated to preserving early animation. Some versions may be incomplete or show signs of deterioration typical of nitrate film from this period. The UCLA Film and Television Archive maintains copies of various Out of the Inkwell shorts. The film has been digitally restored for some home video releases and online streaming platforms, ensuring its accessibility to modern audiences. However, the original camera negative may no longer exist, with preservation efforts relying on surviving prints and duplication elements.